Cupins de Pernambuco: diversidade e distribuição

Abstract

Termites are eusocial insects which belong to the order Blattodea, Isoptera infraorder. These insects play an important functional role in ecological dynamics, mainly in the nutrient recycling process, soil aeration and maintenance of soil fertility. Although the state of Pernambuco presents a heterogeneity of habitats, including morphoclimatic domains of The Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest, several regions still have not had their termitofauna inventoried. The present study aimed to carry out a survey of termite species registered in the state of Pernambuco, mapping their species richness and the sampling effort, in order to determine the areas lacking samples, in order to support possible conservation strategies. The list of termite species was prepared after compiling previously published data, including species lists and taxonomic reviews of genera, as well as unpublished data from the Isoptera Collection of the Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB). From the records of the Isoptera Collection, the spatial representation of richness and sampling effort (density of records) was obtained through kernel interpolation. Twenty inventoried locations were registered in the state of Pernambuco, five areas had published inventories. A total of 89 species and 42 genera were registered in the state, 15 species of the Kalotermitidae family (16.8%), 8 of Rhinotermitidae (9%) and 66 of Termitidae (74.2%). The Isoptera Collection presented 1.835 termite samples collected in the state of Pernambuco. The highest species richness and density of records were recorded in the municipalities of Igarassu (Atlantic Forest), Tamandaré (Atlantic Forest) and Caruaru (montane forest). Most of the Caatinga areas had low species density and low sampling effort. The number of species recorded for the state of Pernambuco is relatively high when compared with current knowledge about termitofauna from the Brazilian semi-arid region, including the Caatinga and Brejo de Altitude, and the Atlantic Forest, by the north of the São Francisco River. The study represents an important step towards expanding knowledge about termites in the state of Pernambuco, indicating where new inventories are needed so that the state's termitofauna is better known, especially in the Caatinga areas.